Meet the Study Abroad Staff

Bio:

Bri is originally from Florida and spent six years in New Orleans earning her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Liberal Arts degrees at Tulane University. She has traveled to over 20 countries on 5 continents, including a year of living abroad in South Korea. While living overseas, she taught English as a Second Language to elementary school students and wrote articles for several Korean magazines. In her spare time she loves to read, write, and play with her dog, Cheese.

Quote:

“I am thrilled to be here at USA to help students explore other countries and cultures. Whether you are a seasoned traveler or thinking about going abroad for the first time, we can help you find a program that will meet your needs and change your life. I am eager to meet you when you are ready to start thinking about studying abroad – it’s never too early. Go Jags!”

Favorite destination:

Mongolia, Italy

Next on her list:

Namibia, Egypt, Thailand 

Bio:

Shawn is originally from South Carolina but grew up in the California Bay Area. She received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of California at Los Angeles and her Master of Arts from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey. Shawn has traveled to over 15 countries on three continents, including seven years of living between Ghana and Togo, West Africa. While living in West Africa she led customized faculty-led groups, global internship and service-learning programs. Some of her travel studies include French summer sessions in Paris, a conflict resolution fellowship in Tanzania/Kenya and a United Nations graduate-level internship in Geneva.  She enjoys exploring new places; especially scenic beach spots in her free time.

Quote:

“The only person I envy is the person who hasn’t traveled or studied abroad; you have so much to look forward to! I truly believe everyone deserves and needs a global perspective.  I know sometimes going abroad is easier said than done. But, as my mentor Marie Forleo says, ‘everything is figureoutable’.  I’m so excited to be in a role where I get to help students figure out a path to achieve their dreams”.

Favorite destination:

Portbou, Spain

Next on her list:

Thailand, Senegal, Cape Verde Islands

Bio:

Jan was born and raised in the Philippines until the age of 11 when she moved to the U.S. She lived in Michigan for three years before moving to Alabama in 2005. Jan graduated from South in 2016 majoring in Foreign Languages and Literatures with a concentration in French. Studying in Dijon, France was the highlight of her college career. She loves learning about different cultures and languages. She is proficient in English, Tagalog, French, Italian and some sign language. On her spare time, she enjoys drawing with charcoal, jamming to Disney songs, and watching re-runs of Friends.

Quote:

It’s not impossible, but I’m possible! I never thought my dream of going to France would become a reality. But because of the Office of International Education, I made it from Moulton Tower to the Eiffel Tower! Studying abroad teaches you things that you will never learn within the four walls of a classroom. It will give you answers you will not find in the pages of a textbook. What you reap from the experience is invaluable and life changing. Come visit our office and take the first step in making your dream come true!

Favorite destination:

Het Drielandenpunt (“Tripoint” where the borders of Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands meet)

Next on her list:

Australia and the United Kingdom

Bio:

Jamie is originally from Daleville, Alabama. She moved to Mobile in 2014 to pursue her Bachelor’s Degree at USA. She graduated in 2018 with a major in Speech and Hearing Sciences and a minor in English. She is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Audiology. Jamie studied abroad while in graduate school, visiting Durban, South Africa. In her spare time she enjoys hanging in her hammock, reading a good book, and spending time with friends. 

Quote:

"Through study abroad, I was able to learn more than just what the classroom can teach. It provided me the unique opportunity to be exposed to things I thought I would never be able to see in practice. I was able to learn about myself and grow as a future audiologist. I am excited to help fellow South students find the right study abroad experience for them! Don't be nervous, come chat with me about study abroad!"

Favorite destination:

Durban, South Africa

Next on her list:

Puerto Rico, Canada, Italy

Major:

International Studies

Program:

CIEE Amman Summer Arabic Intensive Language; Amman, Jordan; Summer 2019

Most Memorable Experience:

My most memorable experience abroad was the trip to Wadi Rum. The landscape and serenity of the desert was really amazing to experience. We ate with the Bedouins and learned the dabke, and sang and danced all night. We looked at the stars and just took it all in while enjoying each other's company. It's something I'll never forget.

Major:

Criminal Justice

Program:

USA Political Science in Scotland and Northern Ireland; Summer 2019

Most Memorable Experience:

My most memorable experience abroad was meeting an actor from my favorite movie, Sing Street. My group was on a ferry to Belfast and I went up to the bar to get some ice for my drink. He walked behind me in line and I asked if he was an actor, and basically I told him he was in my favorite movie and he was so friendly. He told me to enjoy my time in Ireland and talked with me about my program. I will never forget it. It really goes to show how small the world is!

Major:

Secondary Education and History

Program:

USA in Taiwan; Summer 2019

Most Memorable Experience:

By far my most memorable experience is when we went to the Taroko gorge. It was so beautiful and I learned so much. We got to visit a shrine in the gorge which was so beautiful. The tour guide had quite a few interesting stories about the gorge. The sights were quite incredible.

Major:

International Studies

Program:

Hanyang University Business Exchange; Seoul, South Korea; Academic Year 2018

Most Memorable Experience:

My most memorable experience abroad was probably my first trip within Korea. On our first vacation from school for Chuseok, similar to Korean Thanksgiving, a group of friends and I planned a week-long vacation to the southern tip of Korea, Busan. I had such a time there experiencing more of Korea and celebrating such an important holiday. We climbed mountains, went to the beaches, had the privilege to be invited to lunch by the head priest of one of the temples, and tried so many delicious dishes. Definitely an unforgettable experience.

Major:

Spanish

Program:

USA Spanish Language & Culture in Spain, Summer 2018 and USA in Russia, Summer 2019

Most Memorable Experience:

My favorite memory from studying abroad was camping near Lake Baikal in Siberia. It is the oldest and deepest freshwater lake in the world, and I distinctly remember walking up a hill to get a better view of it. No picture I took could do the scenery justice, and just sitting by the water brought me more peace than I had ever experienced before.

Major:

Strategic Communications

Program:

USA Business in Australia; Sydney and Cairns, Australia; Winter 2018

Most Memorable Experience:

I cannot boil this experience down to only one memorable event. Getting to scuba dive at the Great Barrier Reef and swim with a sea turtle was high on my list. However, I also got to visit a crocodile wildlife area and see massive crocodiles and see people feeding them up close and personal; got to pet kangaroos and touch koala bears and talk to the people who work with them. The Sydney Australia Bridge climb, which is right next to the opera house is definitely at the top of my list. Finally, the Bondi to Coogee Coastline walk that was just absolutely beautiful is among the highlights of this trip.

Major:

Foreign Languages: French and Russian

Program:

USA in Russia, Summer 2019

Most Memorable Experience:

My most memorable experience while in Russia was meeting people on the first day in the dorms who would quickly become my first international friends. They made me feel so welcome and even helped me with a few tips and tricks for everyday life in the city. We still keep in touch, talking about our memories together and with the hopes that we'll see each other again one day.